1 Thessalonians

The City of Thessalonica
Thessalonica is modern Salonika. Thessalonica was the largest and most important city of Macedonia. Located on the main highway from east to west, and possessing a good harbour, it was a noted center of trade and commerce. It was founded in 316 B.C., by Cassander, who named it for his wife, the sister of Alexander the Great. In 148 B.C. it became the capital of the second district of the Roman province and the seat of Roman administration. In 42 B.C. it was declared a free city. The Egnatian Way was built through the city and walls were built around the city. It was ruled by politatchs. (Acts 17:4)

In 1876, an arch was excavated on which was found the word Politarchs, a previously unknown word. This confirmed a mysterious word found in Scripture. In Paul's day Thessalonica had about 200,000 people with an important Jewish community and many Gentile converts. (Acts 17:4)

The ease with which the Jews at Thessalonica could influence the civil authorities reveals their power against Paul and Silas. The incident of their imprisonment and deliverance suggests that the politarchs were bent on justice and legal protection for Paul and his companions, for the inability of free cities to keep public order always raised the threat of Roman interference.

Because of its location, Thessalonica has remained an important city throughout the Christian era, and now it has a population of almost 400,000.

Occasion
On his second missionary journey, Paul arrived in Thessalonica, about 49 B.C. (Acts 17:1-9) During his stay he received money from Philippi. (Acts 17:4) Things went well for the missionaries (Silas and Timothy) until jealous Jews raised a cry against them, charging them with acts 'contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus'. (Acts 17:7) Thus they were driven from the city.

When Paul arrived later in Corinth (Acts 18) he wrote the letter to the troubled Thessalonian Christians, who had themselves become the objects of persecution since Paul's departure. (1 Thessalonians 2:14) In light of Paul's hope of a personal visit (1 Thessalonians 2:17,18), the Apostle expresses his thanks to God for the news of the firm stand of the believers, such news having been brought by Timothy. (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10) Paul wrote First Thessalonians from Corinth around 49 or 50 A.D. on his second missionary Journey.